Teeth whitening foods

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There has always been that advice to avoid black coffee, dark berries and red wine when striving for pearly whites.

Although, the question comes into play of which foods are natural teeth whiteners:

Strawberries

The chief component in strawberries is malic acid acting as a natural astrigent that will remove any tooth discolouration.

Seeds and nuts

Chewing nuts and seeds, that are actually slightly abrasive, will rubs off the plaque and stains off the surface of your teeth. Almonds are particularly good as they are full of healthy fats and protein.

Onions

As onions are colourless, they do not cause any surface stains on the teeth – also, after eating onions you will be more likely to brush your teeth that will be a surefire way of getting whiter teeth.

Apples

Biting into apples is quite beneficial for your teeth. The fruits’ crispiness is a form of strengthening gums, also the high water content increases the amount of saliva produced into your mouth, dispersing and neutralizing any colonies of bacteria that can lead to bad breath and plaque.

Celery and carrots

These high water vegetables are not only good for the production of saliva, but they are also great for your waistline.

Broccoli

By including small pieces of raw broccoli into your lunch, those florets will act as a sort of toothbrush that will scrub the surface of your teeth.

Oranges

The citrus acid in an orange can make your teeth whiter, however is can erode tooth enamel so it suggested to help yourself to an orange every once in a while.

Water

Although not a food, drinking between sipping glasses of wine and when eating pigmented foods will help prevent any staining, maintaining your teeth’s whiteness.

Milk and yoghurt

Both dairy products are teeth superfoods. As they both contain high calcium content that strengthens teeth, it also makes the enamel healthier and whiter.

Please visit our website for further information about teeth whitening and the home teeth whitening kits we stock!

Teeth Whitening: FAQ

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Teeth whitening is largely becoming popular across the country however, there are questions that arise along with the demand for whiter teeth.

What is it?

Teeth whitening is cosmetic treatment that involves the bleaching of the teeth to lighten them, thus making them more desirable and appealing.
It cannot change the colour to a brilliant, bright white, but it does lighten the existing colour several shades.

Who can perform teeth whitening?

The treatment falls into the category of dentistry and should be performed by a dentist or any other regulated dental professional, i.e. dental hygienist or a dental therapist on the prescription of a dentist.

There are home kits available, which we offer, however it’s advised to consult with a professional before doing so.

Can any dentist whiten teeth?

It is possible for any dentist to whiten teeth, provided they are registered with the General Dental Council.
There are available registered dental hygienists and therapists that are able to conduct the treatment on the prescription of a dentist.

Can teeth be whitened on the NHS?

Teeth can only be whitened on the NHS if there is a medical reason involved,
An example could be the solution to a dead nerve in the tooth, thus leading to lightening the teeth.

Teeth whitening is often carried out by a dentist privately, as it is considered a cosmetic treatment. Costs will vary – laser whitening will cost more than professional bleaching.

How would you go about getting teeth whitening?

Enquire at your dentist and they should be able to advise you whether teeth whitening is the right option for you. In some cases, teeth whitening might not be suitable, especially if a person has crowns or suffers from gum disease.

Is it permanent?

This chemical enhancement is not a permanent solution. It can, however, last from a few months, up to two to three years, but this depends on the individual.
The whitened teeth won’t last long if an individual smokes or drinks (red wine, tea or coffee) on a regular basis.

Will it work on false teeth?

Teeth whitening will not work on crowns, dentures, fillings or veneers.

Are there risks?

Regardless of the teeth whitening treatment that is used, there is a possibility that gums may be sensitive to the chemicals applied to the teeth when whitening, especially if those teeth are already quite sensitive.

Please visit our website for further information about teeth whitening, the home kits and gels we offer and why you should choose Think Bizzle and Smile!

A brief history of teeth whitening

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As the growth of the request for teeth to be whitened continues, the question comes into play of where this enhancement originally begun.

Through centuries of trial and error, we are at the current age where teeth whitening is a common request and is carried out swiftly, safely and has great benefits.

The Egyptians were known for their various beautification techniques and it was around that time they decided to create a teeth whitening paste from a ground together pumice stone and wine vinegar (whiter teeth marked as a sign of beauty and wealth).  Although the concoction was effective for whitening teeth, it did an immense amount of damage to the teeth – the stone cutting abrasions into the tooth’s thin enamel and the acid from the vinegar would rot away the teeth.

Learning from the Egyptian method, the Romans devised a way of whitening teeth without needing a stone.
Their solution wasn’t any better, however, as they resorted to using their own urine. The ammonia from the urine acted as an effective bleaching agent, although it isn’t advised.

Moving on from the urine method, the Middle Ages through to the Age of Enlightenment would have visited their barbers – who, at the time, were also teeth experts – and would have their teeth filed down in preparation for the application of whitening acid.
Similar to the Egyptian method, the acid was whitening teeth, however, it was simultaneously eroding the enamel away, thus leading to tooth decay.

There was also the issue of ‘chew sticks’, the name given to the chewing of small twigs that would scrape of particles of the teeth.

Fast forward to the current method of teeth whitening, using hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, which was actually stumbled upon.
Either chemical had been used as an oral antiseptic for the gums; dentists developed a gel formula to keep it on the teeth for a longer period of time and discovered the teeth gradually whitening, as a result.
Thus, a safe, smooth way to whiter teeth was born!

Please visit our website to view our range of teeth whitening kits and gels.